Jerez, Spain, October 16, 2026: The 2026 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship heads to Jerez for the season finale, with Nicolo Bulega, Alvaro Bautista and Danilo Petrucci facing emotional weekends as several riders prepare for potential farewells. Iker Lecuona, Xavi Vierge and the Lowes brothers are also targeting strong finishes at the Pirelli Spanish Round.

The 2026 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship reaches its final round at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto in Andalucia, Spain, with the Pirelli Spanish Round bringing a season of intense competition to a close.

While riders look to finish the campaign on a high, the Jerez weekend also carries an emotional significance for several competitors, with potential departures and changes on the horizon. Nicolo Bulega, Alvaro Bautista, Danilo Petrucci and Xavi Vierge are among those reflecting on their futures as they prepare for the final races of the season.

Nicolo Bulega targets strong finish in final WorldSBK weekend with Ducati

Nicolo Bulega arrives at Jerez for what he describes as an emotional final WorldSBK weekend with the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team. The Italian reflected on his five-year association with the organisation, which began with his first World Supersport test at the Spanish circuit in November 2021.

Bulega has enjoyed considerable success with the team, including WorldSBK race victories in 2024 and 2025. Jerez has also been a special venue for him, having secured the World Supersport title and achieved his first Moto3 pole position and podium there.

The Ducati rider hopes to end the season with a strong performance, identifying a competitive weekend as the ideal birthday present.

Bulega also emphasised that his relationship with the team would continue beyond his departure, saying he would remain in contact and support the squad in the future.

Alvaro Bautista keeps future options open ahead of home race

Alvaro Bautista faces an important weekend at his home circuit, with uncertainty surrounding his future in WorldSBK.

The Barni Spark Racing Team rider described the 2026 campaign as a difficult one, admitting that he and his team had fallen short of their targets. However, he remains motivated to finish strongly at a circuit where he has enjoyed both good and bad results throughout his career.

Bautista is aiming for a podium finish if he can reproduce the feeling he experienced with his bike at Estoril. He acknowledged that the fight for the top three positions would be challenging, given the number of riders competing for the remaining podium places.

The Spaniard confirmed that he would assess his future after the season finale, taking time to consider opportunities that would motivate him to continue racing. Despite the challenges of the season, he said he remained physically and mentally fit and believed he could still fight for strong results with the right setup.

Danilo Petrucci faces uncertain future after BMW departure

Danilo Petrucci heads into the Jerez finale for his final race with the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, although he has not ruled out continuing in the championship next season.

The Italian said he was pleased to return to Jerez, where his journey with BMW began in November 2025. For the final round, the team plans to return to the bike configuration used during that initial test, giving Petrucci an opportunity to finish the season on a positive note.

Petrucci admitted that 2026 had been a difficult campaign, with results falling short of his expectations. He also revealed that he has several options to consider for next season, including opportunities in WorldSBK and another championship.

With physical discomfort from his racing career also a consideration, Petrucci intends to take time after the finale to rest and determine the best path forward.

Iker Lecuona expects challenging weekend at Jerez

Iker Lecuona is looking forward to ending what he described as an excellent season for himself and the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team, although he expects the Spanish circuit to present a significant challenge.

The Spaniard admitted that Jerez has historically been a difficult track for him, with several crashes and injuries at the venue. He also recognises that beating teammate Bulega will be a tough task, given the Italian’s strong record at the circuit.

Nevertheless, Lecuona rated his 2026 season nine out of 10, pointing to improved consistency and better judgement when pushing the limits.

He believes he has learned from previous mistakes and become more measured in managing risk, even when chasing stronger results.

Xavi Vierge prepares for final Yamaha outing

Xavi Vierge will contest his final round with Pata Maxus Yamaha at his home circuit, bringing his current chapter with the Japanese manufacturer to a close.

The Spaniard said he was pleased to finish the season at Jerez, a circuit where he first rode the Yamaha R1. However, he acknowledged that the campaign had been difficult, with the team struggling to match the progress made by its rivals.

Although there were occasions when the Yamaha showed competitive speed, a lack of consistency prevented the team from regularly challenging at the front.

Vierge said the working relationship within the team had remained strong despite the disappointing results. He added that the frustration stemmed from the fact that everyone had worked hard but had been unable to find the additional performance needed.

Alex Lowes targets twin brother Sam in Jerez battle

Alex Lowes is preparing for a competitive season finale against his twin brother Sam Lowes, who races for the ELF Marc VDS Racing Team.

The bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team rider acknowledged that Sam had secured more podium finishes during the season, while he had enjoyed greater consistency. With both riders having experienced missed opportunities in recent rounds, Alex is keen to finish ahead of his brother at Jerez.

The circuit has been a successful venue for Sam in the past, including during his Moto2 career, adding another dimension to their friendly rivalry.

Alex rated his own season eight out of 10, saying he remained motivated and enjoyed working with his team despite having achieved better results in previous campaigns.

Yari Montella aims to finish season strongly after independent title success

Yari Montella arrives at Jerez with confidence after securing the Best Independent Rider title at Estoril.

The Barni Spark Racing Team rider holds a 53-point advantage over fourth place in the standings and wants to focus on riding without becoming preoccupied with points.

Montella described his progress as remarkable, having finished 18th in the championship the previous year before moving into contention for third place overall in 2026.

He highlighted his first podium in Australia and his performance at Donington as two of the standout moments of his campaign. With family support expected at Jerez, the Italian is looking forward to finishing the season on a high.

Jerez finale brings 2026 WorldSBK season to a close

The Pirelli Spanish Round promises a mix of sporting ambition and emotional farewells as the WorldSBK paddock gathers for the final races of 2026.

For Bulega and Lecuona, the weekend offers an opportunity to build on their Ducati performances. Bautista and Petrucci face important decisions about their racing futures, while Vierge prepares to close his Yamaha chapter.

The battle between Alex and Sam Lowes and Montella’s bid to maintain his strong championship position add further interest to the finale.

With the season reaching its conclusion at Jerez, the riders will be looking to deliver strong performances before attention turns to the next chapter of the WorldSBK Championship.